Virginia Apgar is a famous and well know physician, who has contributed to the study of anesthesiology. Virginia was born on June 7, 1909 in Westfield, New Jersey. Born into a family of musicians, Virginia became a cellist and violinist at a young age. Virginia then went on to play in the school orchestra. In 1929 Virginia graduated from Mount Holyoke College, with the plans on becoming a doctor. In the following September Virginia enrolled into Columbia University of Physicians and Surgeons. In 1933 Virginia graduated from Columbia with a medical degree, and ranked fourth in her graduating class. (Later to become the first woman from Columbia to be named a full professor). Virginia then took an interest and began to study obstetrical anesthesia, and how it effected a mother and new born during childbirth.
Virginia studied how the use of anesthesia effect a mother during child birth. Virginia stopped all use of anesthesia during childbirth after seeing the negative effects it can have on a new born infant. After writing a report on her research, other doctors from all over stopped the contribution of anesthesia to mothers during childbirth.
Virginia recognized a lack of examination of a new born, which left infants with non-identified illnesses. Virginia created a five step organized examination for newborn infants. This exam scored an infants heart rate, breathing, muscle tone, color and reflexes. In 1949 this became know as the Apgar Score, which became a worldwide standard for all physicians.
Virginia Apgar is a famous and well know physician, who has contributed to the study of anesthesiology. Virginia was born on June 7, 1909 in Westfield, New Jersey. Born into a family of musicians, Virginia became a cellist and violinist at a young age. Virginia then went on to play in the school orchestra. In 1929 Virginia graduated from Mount Holyoke College, with the plans on becoming a doctor. In the following September Virginia enrolled into Columbia University of Physicians and Surgeons. In 1933 Virginia graduated from Columbia with a medical degree, and ranked fourth in her graduating class. (Later to become the first woman from Columbia to be named a full professor). Virginia then took an interest and began to study obstetrical anesthesia, and how it effected a mother and new born during childbirth.
Virginia studied how the use of anesthesia effect a mother during child birth. Virginia stopped all use of anesthesia during childbirth after seeing the negative effects it can have on a new born infant. After writing a report on her research, other doctors from all over stopped the contribution of anesthesia to mothers during childbirth.
Virginia recognized a lack of examination of a new born, which left infants with non-identified illnesses. Virginia created a five step organized examination for newborn infants. This exam scored an infants heart rate, breathing, muscle tone, color and reflexes. In 1949 this became know as the Apgar Score, which became a worldwide standard for all physicians.